Todays readings.. Numbers 33, Proverbs 24, John 6
“YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE”
Today’s 6th chapter of John is particularly challenging – for our meditation. It needs deep thought for the depth of its’ meaning to truly come alive in our minds. Many of his disciples found his words too challenging, too difficult to grasp – and “many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” [v.66] And today, how many still have Bibles – but no longer read them!
His challenge ends with the statement, “…I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” [v.65] To what kind of person is this “granted”?
Peters’ declaration ‘jumps out’ to our minds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” [v.68,69].
We meditate on his phrase, “and have come to know.” As we read God’s word day after day – have we “come to know” – the wonder or the relationship we can – and should be – developing – with Jesus?
We “have the words of eternal life” in our hands and need to feed on them more urgently every day! We do not feed on them urgently if the godlessness that surrounds us is starting to suffocate our minds! Now is the time to refresh ourselves and “come to know” with greater certainty the wonder of God’s word and the judgements of God that our world is facing – and how soon now!? This year?
A final thought comes from today’s 24th chapter in Proverbs. “Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future … fear the LORD … do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly … and who knows the ruin that will come …” [v.19-22]
We “have the words of eternal life” in our hands, let us not neglect them, especially today, because our Saviour gave his life for us – let us show his “words of eternal life” are in our hearts – today – and every day – until he comes – and will that be this year?
